FROM: STELLA

TO: LAURA

1. It’s been another snowy week here in Maine. We’ve had more indoor time than we are used to so I’ve been relying on blanket forts and musical books to keep Colby entertained. He just turned 15 months and is really getting the hang of walking and his personality is getting bigger every day.

2. I finished my February book club selection, Unsheltered, this week. It’s a book that I never would have picked out myself and though I won’t be adding it to my favorites list, I got a lot out of it, and I really enjoyed reading something completely different than my normal picks.

3. I am looking forward to the long weekend and planning to make things special with a big breakfast. One of my favorite recipes is the NYT’s Perfect Buttermilk Pancakes.

4. I’ve been re-watching Scandal over the past couple of weeks and even though we are a thousand miles apart, my mom and I have been able to keep pace with each other and enjoy it together. It’s fun to have a watching buddy even if it’s from afar. It’s just as good the second time around and up next, I’ll be visiting our old post of What to Do After Scandal for more inspiration.

FROM: LAURA

TO: STELLA

1. I’m spending the weekend on a solo staycation sort of escape and couldn’t be more excited about it! I booked an airbnb nearby and am going to luxuriate in taking long walks by myself at any hour I choose, snacking on exactly the things I’m craving, catching up on some podcasts, and watching silly TV.

2. Really enjoying the ‘Terrible Thanks for Asking’ series on care and the many definitions that word takes on in our current society. Episode one tackles the sharing of care in a household and episode two focuses on end of life care. Both episodes, per usual with this podcast, had some weepy moments for me, but held so much thought-provoking content. Definitely recommend a listen.

3. There have been so many articles in the last week or two about motherhood during the pandemic (this, this, this, and this) and my brain can’t seem to get enough of them. Maybe it’s the confirmation that yes, parenting and, specifically, mothering, is hard in this moment. Maybe it’s because I’ve been interviewing for a new job lately and I’m trying to project what it will be like to work from home with our toddler running rampant. Maybe it’s that pandemic wall everyone’s seeming to hit right now. Who knows, reading about it is definitely helpful for me.

4. This is random, but I learned so much about octopuses from this article! Ernie has a stuffed octopus toy (similar) that he really loves and it’s sparked a desire to know more about them in me lately.